Ghoultide Gathering Artist

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Art Doll Quarterly, August 2013, pages 46-49

Prims, Fall issue 2011, pages 22-27

A Primitive Place, Fall 2011, p 14

Prims Magazine, pages 6-9

Celebrate 365, Winter Issue

Monkey-Cats' Work on p. 22

Celebrate 365, Fall Issue 2010

Monkey-Cats' work on p. 21

Monkey-Cats Studio

These are the reason for "Monkey-Cats" Studio receiving the name. Pretty cute when they were kittens but they are now 9 years old, still think they are kittens and try to fit in the same spaces on my studio table. For some reason these two have very long tails like a monkey and received the nickname monkey boys from my husband. We are sure they can swing upside down by those tails! Their real names are Jake and Elwood, after the Blues Brothers, because they try to do the right thing but they are just naughty.

Seasonal Paintings

Trick or Treat Moon Pie

Pumpkin Halloween Parade

Trick or Treat Celestial Charlie

Friday, January 30, 2009

I was able to put the finishing touches on another figure yesterday for the upcoming SpookyTime Jingles' pages...this is my first ever Skelly Bunny. I just knew that the Skelly boys would not let the Pumpkin boys get by doing anything without a little mimicking going on so I put bunny slippers and ears on a Skelly figure wearing a bow tie. I hadn't made a figure this year in bunny slippers, which I dearly love, so I thought I would put some on this little Skelly to show you how they lounge after a hard day of working for the Easter Rabbit.

You see, the Easter Rabbit has to keep a sharp eye on the Pumpkin Bunnies, and now the Skelly Bunny, because they can be naughty and put unpleasant things in his Easter confections. Because of that concern, the Skelly and Pumpkin helpers are primarily in the delivery end of things so they have lots of walking as part of their daily job responsibilities as Easter approaches. When Skelly Bunny gets home he loves to kick off his boots and don his bunny slippers...bunny slippers always feel so good at the end of the day!!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

I told you last month that there were a number of Pumpkin Bunnies that helped the Easter Rabbit with delivery of all of the lovely confections we loved as children (and some of us still love as adults) on Easter morning. Here are two more of the sweet little fellows that will be coming up on SpookyTime Jingles in February. I realize they don't look like much without paint, and their Easter baskets aren't shown with them in these photos, but I think it is fun to share part of the process with you coming out of my strange little mind.

These two boys are twins, Jake and Jack, one being left-handed and the other right-handed. As they have gotten older and developed their individual personalities they prefer not to dress identically, so Jake curled the tip of one bunny ear on his headband down, and you will also notice he has larger hands and arms...he goes to the gym. I'm planning on painting them in similar palettes, but they won't be painted the same as I am honoring their request. (Just teasing!)Since they are Easter/Halloween crossover pieces they will be in pastels.

Jack holding an egg in his left hand and his basket will be hanging from his right hand.

Grinning Jake holds his egg in his right hand and his basket will be hanging from his left hand. Both figures are 16" tall to the tip of their highest ear.

The pieces will be listed individually so if someone chooses to adopt one pumpkin bunny and not the other they can do so.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Back to work today!! I feel like I fell off of the planet last week, but totally enjoyed being warm and recharging my batteries in the New Mexico and Arizona sunshine ... reality, however, has set in and it is time to mix clay and get my fingers pushing and pulling the surface to make some new pieces. I have plenty of new work to begin and need to finish the WIPs below so instead of just talking about working I need to get it done.

Do any of the rest of you have difficulty getting your engine started after taking a break? I feel like I need someone to turn the key to get me going so I had better close this post and mix the clay NOW!!!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

I am a proud member of EHAG (Eclectic Halloween Artists Group) and I wanted to let all of you know that EHAG is hosting a second blog giveaway!! On Monday, January 26th, you can go to the groups blog, http://www.ehagart.blogspot.com/, for information on how to register for the giveaway.

Banner for the EHAG challenge by Lori RudolphSeveral EHAG artists (sadly, I am not one of them), graciously created works with a Halloween flair with the theme, "The weather outside is frightful!" that will be given away to a lucky group of winners selected on February 3rd. All you have to do is leave a comment on the blog to register...but please remember to leave an active email address so that you can be notified of your prize should you be a lucky winner!!! Also, if you do not have a blog account to leave a comment, you can send an email to ehaagartists@hotmail.com to register for a chance at winning one of the works.

The giveaway contest will be going on all week, so check back on February 3rd to see if you won!

In the meantime, you will have a chance to peek at the various art offerings on the EHAG blog and on eBay. Why eBay you may ask? EHAG is hosting a group challenge of the same theme this week too. You can find a link to the EHAG current auctions by clicking on this EHAG on eBay link.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

I have to admit I haven't done a new post in over a week because I was in southern New Mexico and Tucson, Arizona this past week. Below is my husband, that grew tired of the cold, and booked us with a wonderful B&B just outside of the east Saguaro National Park called Hacienda delDesierto. This is one of the best bed and breakfast facilities I have ever been at. The couple that own and run this wonderful hacienda (10 acres) are former school teachers with perfect personalities to run a B&B and have such a great knowledge of the Tucson area they made our experience much richer then prior trips we have had to Tucson. The day started with baked fruit each morning, which was just delicious, and then we were asked what we would like to do for the day...they always had suggestions and recommendations plus they would grab a map and highlighter to guide us to our destinations. (Oh, and they also share recipes.) They provide you with slippers and robes for the outdoor spa and open their 1200 sq. ft. commons area for guests to use any time of the day for use during the stay. David and Rosemary have lived in Tucson over 30 years and are very special people ... if you too grow tired of the cold and need a retreat you need to give them a call!!!!

Kelly is holding the door open for me as we enter into the center courtyard. We were warned to close and latch the door because of a herd of javelinas. Now, I have seen countless photos of baby javelinas that look like cute small pigs, but I wasn't aware the adults got as big as the 10 we had outside of the fence on the second night. They dig at the base of plants uprooting things to eat so they really don't want them in the courtyard or back fenced patio. They were fun to watch lounge on the gravel as though they owned the place and smelled us because their eye sight is rather poor.

I think they are really curious animals that I was glad to see from a distance and with a fence between us.

The center courtyard has a running fountain and tables and chairs to lounge in...it was 86 degrees while we were there so the center courtyard was nice because it was cooler than the second patio found on the south side of the commons area. The south patio had hummingbirds, doves, a cactus wren and a roadrunner that came daily to drink or bathe in the mist of the second fountain.

This was our daily view out of our living room window into the center courtyard. The door in this picture is the door that led you to the dining/common use area.

I did check some mail so I wasn't too far behind when we got home, however, we arrived home and it is 11 degrees...there is just no way to express how I really feel about that in this blog!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Marie just noticed Chris and I have been talking about vision boards and she thought I had done a past post regarding that subject. Nope, not on vision boards...like I'm an authority or something--HA!! I think if you go to Oprah.com you can find out about vision boards and spirituality, but what they are about in essence is gratitude and appreciation for what you have, where you are at in your life and where you want to be, without regret and the intention that everything is working for the highest good. It is a positive affirmation.

I just feel it never hurts to pass on positive thoughts and energy into your work, to your blog and onto others that are receptive to that sort of thing. A very wise woman, my Mother, has always said, "what goes around, comes around," so I believe if you act in a positive manner you will receive the same type of response from others in your life. I think most of you will have to admit that if you meet up with someone that isn't smiling, appears to hate their job and where they are, that if you approach them with a smile, pleasant demeanor and open body language, you can diffuse their initial negative attitude over 95% of the time. It is that sort of thing where you project and that projection is reflected back to you.

So, if things aren't going well for you right now, treat yourself and your work with respect, acknowledge your self-worth and the value of your work, and develop the attitude that "all is well." Write it down, post pictures of your work and place it in a location you see regularly or put it away in a drawer to look at occasionally, then journal what happens.

Now, if you aren't in to this sort of thing just pretend I didn't post this...HA!!! If you are the least bit receptive to this thought process, give it a try!!!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

First of all I want to tell you about the wings that Annie at Blur.Baby has on her new website called, Glitter My World, and is carrying them for dolls, figures, ornies, etc...I received mine in the mail yesterday and the ideas started screaming at me as I took them out of the package. If you are thinking about making cupids, angels or anything that would look adorable in wings, these are perfect. I ordered the small wings, which measure 7" from tip to tip and one of my new figures will be wearing a pair. I think they will be adorable on an Easter figure. So, if you are in the market for some wings to try out, go over to her new website and give them a look by clicking on her website name above (I gave you a link). She also is carrying glass glitter, wired tinsel garland, tissue garland and a variety of other products. Annie is on SpookyTime Jingles with us so I want to wish her great success on this new venture!

Aren't they adorable...I think I know a figure that should fly!!! HA

Now for some new WIPs. I finished up a Santa coming out/getting ready to go down a chimney in clay last night. He is shown below. The figures look sort of sad at this point...PJ calls them "naked" figures so if you are looking today PJ, cover your eyes!!!

I also was naughty last night and because it was so cold I went out into the living room and worked on the carpet...yes, I worked on the carpet, but I had paper towels and cutting boards underneath everything. I currently have 13 pieces in the works so I had better close this post and put some faces on some of them!

Sounds like many of us are in the deep freeze today so stay warm and happy creating!!!Laurie

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

My SpookyTime Jingles offerings are all gone and it is back to the studio for this humble lady to work on a couple of orders. All I can say is THANK YOU!!! I just feel so fortunate to have return and new customers that are allowing me to continue to create in my studio and live my dream, as well as discovering so many other online artists that inspire and lift me on a daily basis. I'm breathing in all these gifts feeling very blessed and thankful this morning. Thank you everyone for your support!!

Now, go get a cup of hot chocolate, latte, coffee, tea or whatever warms your spirit, and check out some of my favorite artists on STJ if you haven't looked yet, or go to my favorites list and have a visual feast looking at their blogs. I promise, you won't be disappointed!!!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Oh, I almost forgot...there will be 2 little jingles tonight too!!!! "Mrs. Claus' Day" and "Heartfelt Elf" will also premier tonight on SpookyTime Jingles. Santa holds a little gift for his Mrs. and 2 candy canes to stir their hot chocolate cocktails with because, after all, she is the love of his life that inspires him to forge ahead every year at Christmas. To the right of Santa is "Heartfelt Elf" holding 2 little ornaments with hearts and another small heart found over his chest . He is a lover at heart and has such a sweet little face.

These works and the others go up on SpookyTime Jingles at midnight eastern time so give them a peek if you have time!!

SpookyTime Jingles updates tonight just after midnight and has a new twist called the Holiday Hootenanny!!!! The artists were invited to create your favorite Halloween and Christmas offerings with a touch of sweetness for the upcoming holidays of Valentine's Day and Easter.

Below is "Cu-Punk", that's right, "Cu-Punk." (He is from the Punkin family, not the Pumpkin family of Halloween figures I create.) This little guy decided to dress up as Cupid this year...he was in red, but he really didn't like the way the red clashed with the orange tint of his skin so he dyed his sash black and retipped his heart-head arrows with orange rather than red tips. This little boy went all out in his cupid attire...wings, bow, arrows, sash...and a little Cupid toupee on top of his head. He even decided to paint a bull's-eye over his heart!! Silly "Cu-Punk"!!!

Hanging from his bow is a heart.

Little cupie wings and another view of how the sash wraps his body.

Side view of "Cu-Punk"

A better look at the bull's-eye over "Cu-Punks" heart.

"Cu-Punk" is one of 6 offerings from Monkey-Cats Studio on STJ this month. This promises to be a fun month of unique offerings so be sure to check out all of the wonderful artist on SpookyTime Jingles!!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Here is the group shot of the three little spooks for January's SpookyTime Jingles update. They are camera hams...I got the camera out, set them up, turned around and there they were all three smiling back at me ready for their picture. Silly little things!! The group is composed of 2 skelly figures, "I Come Bearing Halloween Eggs" at the top of the group, and "St. Skeletine" on the left; and 1 lone pumpkin boy on the right dressed in Easter attire, "Hopper", with bunny ears and all.

I'll give you a sneak peek at the little jingles for January on Monday!!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Painting is progressing on the updates for SpookyTime Jingles this month. Below is a portion of "I Come Bearing Halloween Eggs," one of three new Halloween/Valentine/Easter crossover works. This little figure is a FastMacheskelly figure with a raffia collar, painted skull buttons and striped stockings, carrying his bucket full of "Halloween" eggs. Hmmmm, something tells me they are not filled full of chocolate goodness like an Easter egg.

You can detect the top of a smiling skull face on the front of his bucket, but without seeing his face you can't tell if it is a self-portrait or not. Goodness, I am feeling so ornery this month teasing you with bits and pieces of the figures, but I promise to unveil the figures in their entirety in the next few days!!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The SpookyTime Jingles update for January is approaching and many of the pieces, I suspect, will be holiday crossover pieces. For example, below is Santa dressed formally in a tuxedo bearing a small wrapped package and 2 candy canes. Haven't you ever wondered what Santa and Mrs. Claus do right after Christmas? Well, one thing is for sure, Santa wants Mrs. Claus to know how much he loves and appreciates her, so Santa takes her out for a nice evening of hot chocolate cocktails, and gives her a little "something-something" to let her know she is his Valentine. This piece gives you two holidays in one.

The photo gives you a close up of the candy canes, but to see more you will have to wait for SpookyTime Jingles!!!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Two things on this Saturday morning...first, Lance of Crescent Hill Designs just gave me this lovely little blog award. Isn't she fabulous!!! According to Lance, I'm supposed to list 5 of my addictions and then pass the award along to five additional blog recipients. Oh dear, I have lots to select from on both accounts so here goes.....

Five Addictions:1. Sunlight...I know, sounds silly, but I just feel better on sunny days and I love to sit and paint with the sun shining on me as I work. When the sun goes down, so does my energy so I have decided it is an addiction, but it has to help with my vitamin D level so it isn't necessarily a bad addiction in the winter months. 2. PBS...I've talked about this before. I can listen to PBS playing in the background almost all day long. I love Charlie Rose, Tavis Smiley, Frontline, NOVA, Independent Lens, etc., etc., etc. Could be worse...right?3. Dark chocolate...this is my husbands fault.4. The computer...I asked my husband to name one of my addictions and he told me I had it in my hands (oops)5. Hot baths...when it is cold and icky outside I love a long hot bath.